Orkney’s 2021 cruise season comes to an end

Orkney’s “mini” cruise season of 2021 has come to a successful conclusion.

Since the resumption of the domestic industry at the end of July as a result of the Scottish Government relaxation of restrictions, Orkney has played host to 25 cruise ships across four locations, carrying 19,732 passengers. Of those liners, seven were first time callers.

Jim Buck, Orkney’s Head of Marine Services, Transportation and Harbour Master said: “We at Orkney Harbour Authority feel that this has been a very successful ‘mini’ season for the restart of cruise in Orkney. It has been an excellent chance for our teams to get back into action within the extra restrictions that COVID guidelines have caused. The success of the season shows the value of the hard work put in on developing our COVID emergency plan together with colleagues at Orkney Islands Council and partners including NHS Orkney before the first caller on 30 July. It has been great to see the businesses that service, and those that benefit, cruise callers working hard to make this season a success.

“While there have been a very small number of COVID cases on board cruise liners, these have been contained effectively, and all mitigating procedures put in place have worked as they were designed to do, demonstrating the effectiveness of the detailed multi-agency contingency planning that happened in advance of the restarting of cruise.

“We hope this provides some level of reassurance to those who were understandably anxious around COVID transmission when the Scottish Government moved all of Scotland into level zero which allowed the resumption of all manner of industries and businesses, including domestic cruise.

“This gives us great hope for the future and being able to keep our communities and all those on board the vessels as safe as possible.

“We have also been delighted to receive incredible feedback from cruise operators who have praised the port authority operations in place, our professionalism especially from a safety perspective and we hope this will help Orkney maintain its rightful place as one of the most wanted destinations to visit on cruise passengers wish lists.”

At present, the next cruise liner due to call into Orkney waters is the Balmoral due on 26 January, 2022.

Mr Buck said: “We look forward to welcoming the ship, her passengers and crew back to Orkney as the forerunner of an exciting cruise year.”

Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Graham Sinclair said those whose livelihoods were directly involved with cruise were relieved to see the industry get underway once again.

“Despite all the COVID guidance and restrictions that remained in place, everything from Meet and Greet to the shuttle service seemed to run without a hitch. This mini cruise season has set us up for what we hope will be a successful and busy 2022.”

This image of Royal Caribbean's cruise liner Anthem of the Seas has kindly been provided by Lee Groat.